Barcelona City Guide : Gracia

22 December, 2009

This district, an ancient village enclosed in Barcelona’s city centre is a favourite. Shops, retro and trendy boutiques, nice restaurants, bars and cafés, charming little squares… Take it easy & enjoy a sunny nap or a shady coffee.

Musicians, designers and artists of all sorts have made this Bohemian neighbourhood one the nicest in Barcelona. For those who are after the real Barcelona. Ideal location for longer stays!

The Gracia area starts at the end of Passeo de Gracia but is so different ! Very few people go and walk up to this area although it is a very nice area with lots of sunny squares with cafes and restaurants, clothes ‘ designer shops, art shops, organical food shops. One of the loviest square is Plaza de la Virreina with its old stone church and its terraces to enjoy a drink or sandwich outside.

Metro station : Joanic, the yellow line ( 3 stops to Passeo de Gracia and 5 stops to the Barceloneta beach ) on Plaza Joanic
Station Fontana Red Line on carrer Gran de Gracia at the corner of the carrer Asturias

It used to be a separate village before the city expanded to surround it at the end of the 19th century. The walk to Gracia (Passeig de Gracia) is now the main boulevard of Barcelona. It still retains some of that village feel, it is bohemian, cosmopolitan, full of good bars and restaurants, shops, market, little squares with pavement cafes, etc

The peek time is in August (5 days) the Gracia festival with all the streets get incredibly nicely decorated by the inhabitants, so much fantasy with recovery plastic bottles. Food and drinks everywhere the all night long. Infos about the Gracia Fiesta Major on our blog

Play grounds for children
Plaza del Diamant
Plaza de la revolucion de septembre
Carrer de l’Azina ( behind the church from Plaza Vireina)

The area is perfect for those who want something a little bit different, those who perhaps have been to Barcelona before and want a different tourist experience. Gaudi House : Casa Vicens
carrer de les Carolines 22 Metro Fontana
The first house built in 1888 by Gaudi for a family. The family sold the house in 2015. It will be possible to visit the house in autumn 2017. The colours, the shapes, an oriental touch is so amazing. Gaudi was only 31 years old !
It is already interesting to have a look at this house from the street. Web Casa Vicens

On the Verdi street, the Cine Verdi where you can watch movies in their original version. Web Cine Verdi to see the weekly programm.
There are 2 entrances , the Verdi on carrer Verdi and the Verdi Park on carrer Turijos

Next to the Cine Verdi the D.O. Tapas restaurant
carrer Verdi 36 Ph 932189673
Open from Monday to Sunday from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m.

Pappa e Citti carrer Encarnacio 38 Ph 622 262 572
Very friendly small italian restaurant own by an italian couple ( from Sardinia). Typical disches from their country. Try on Fridays and Saturdays their typical sea dish with a typical semolina and sea food.
Open every day. Aperitivos,Platos y Copas.

One of the best traditional bakery in Barcelona, in the Gracia areaFORN IDEAL
At the corner of Carrer del Torrents de les flors 5 and carrer de Ramon y Cajal 120
METRO Joanic
Open every day from 8H30 am to 2 PM and from 5 PM to 8 PM, close on Sundays
Traditional very small bakery, they bake bread with different flour from wheat, rye, kamut, spelt …
The best croissants in Barcelona, some cakes, pastries, pizzas …

Plaza Vireina

La Piadina : italian bread filled with italian ham, rucula and cheese. Take away type of warm sandwich. On the left from the church

Clair de Lune : nice toys shop for children. Wooden toys, small books . interesting games.
Italian ice cream : on the right side of the church

One of the best traditional bakery in Barcelona, in the Gracia area
FORN IDEAL
At the corner of Carrer del Torrents de les flors 5 and carrer de Ramon y Cajal 120
METRO Joanic
Open every day from 8H30 am to 2 PM and from 5 PM to 8 PM
Traditional very small bakery, they bake bread with different flour from wheat, rye, kamut, spelt …
The best croissants in Barcelona, some cakes, pastries, pizzas …